City of Ingolstadt enters 5G technology partnership with Audi and Telekom

Audi and Deutsche Telekom have entered a 5G technology partnership with the German city of Ingolstadt, signing a Memorandum of Understanding which is the basis for developing a digital transport infrastructure.

In the long term, the infrastructure will offer people greater road safety, better traffic flows and real-time digital services. The city council of Ingolstadt approved the cooperation and an application to set up a 5G model region in July 2019.

5G integration enables connected mobility

The future 5G cellular network standard will allow significantly higher bandwidths and virtually real-time network responses. 5G is thus considered an essential technological basis for communication between different road users, automated driving and the Internet of Things (IoT).

One possible 5G application is connected traffic signals at road junctions that exchange anonymised movement data with cars and other road users via the 5G network. This will enable drivers or cars themselves to react more quickly to unforeseen movements. Mobile 5G devices of pedestrians and cyclists can also be integrated into real-time communication between infrastructure and cars, so that all road users can be connected as comprehensively as possible.

New technologies such as 5G can also reduce the time spent searching for parking spaces, which is a significant proportion of increased traffic volumes in cities. Free parking spaces will be communicated to drivers in real time so that they can navigate directly to them.

The city of Ingolstadt 

Authorities within Ingolstadt will comprehensively support the installation and development of the cellular infrastructure of Deutsche Telekom, supporting application-oriented developments in the mobility sector. As well as Audi, other industrial companies will be able to use the local 5G infrastructure.

In order to actively inform and involve the local population, a public event is planned at which the three partners will provide information on the technology, measures to be taken and specific fields of application of the 5G initiative.

Dr. Christian Deut, Mayor of Ingolstadt, said: “As a technology location, Ingolstadt is open to, and is welcoming, innovations. Together with companies and scientists, we are prepared to cooperate here in the testing and development of applications. If new technologies promise an advantage, we should also use them for the benefit of the people. We see cooperation on the ‘Ingolstadt Test Field’ as a contribution towards securing qualified jobs in our city and as a demonstration of our efforts as a location for digital mobility. As with all innovations, however, the population must also be involved in 5G and actively informed about the technology and related projects.”

Martin Knauer, Head of Cellular Sales for Business Customers at Telekom Deutschland, added: “Deutsche Telekom is supporting the city of Ingolstadt and Audi with the implementation of their innovative ideas. We are bringing 5G not only to the people of Germany, but also to the country’s industry. In the future, innovation and 5G will be inseparable. We are therefore delighted to be working with Audi and the city of Ingolstadt.”